Provision of real-estate market information

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method to provide information characterizing real-estate market conditions within a geographic sub-region included within a larger geographic region is described herein. An indication of the geographic sub-region is received from a user. A memory device on which is stored information characterizing a set of parcels of real property that have been listed for sale is accessed. A parcel of real property located in the sub-region and for which a purchase offer has been made is identified from the stored information. If a purchase transaction for the parcel of real property has not closed, a range of a plurality of values characterizing the purchase offer is provided in at least one graphical user interface. If a purchase transaction for the parcel of real property has closed, a specific value of the plurality of values characterizing the purchase offer is provided in at least one graphical user interface.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/800,665, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is herebyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Real estate transactions often involve a buyer, a seller, one or moreagents (e.g., a listing agent for the seller and buyer's agent for thebuyer), and numerous service providers (e.g., escrow professionals,appraisers, home inspectors, lenders, and so forth). In a typicalpurchase transaction, the seller lists a property using a listingserver, often through a listing agent, while buyers go through a searchprocess to identify potential properties to buy. Once the buyeridentifies a property the buyer wants to buy, the buyer makes an offerto the seller, potentially each through their respective agents. Theseller may either accept the offer, counteroffer at a different price orother terms, or reject the offer. Once an offer or counteroffer has beenaccepted, the transaction is typically considered pending and on the wayto closing pending inspections, resolving various contingencies,securing funds from a lender, and so forth.

Because of the many events and parties involved in a real estatetransaction, it is often difficult for buyers and sellers to keep trackof the details of their effort. Buyers need to react quickly to newlistings, price drops, and open houses. They also need to coordinatewith their agent (and possibly with co-buyers) on events likeinspections, contingency removal, loans, and so on. Sellers also need tobe aware of price changes that affect the market, changes to the statusof nearby homes, and the like. They also need to coordinate with theiragent on events like changes to their listing, buyer inspections, and soforth. Keeping track of all of these details can be overwhelming, if notimpossible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawingfigures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary operating environment inwhich an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary operatingenvironment in which an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

FIGS. 3-5 illustrates processes according to one or more embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a process according to an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIGS. 6-11 are screenshots illustrating functionality of one or moreembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This patent application is intended to describe one or more embodimentsof the present invention. It is to be understood that the use ofabsolute terms, such as “must,” “will,” and the like, as well asspecific quantities, is to be construed as being applicable to one ormore of such embodiments, but not necessarily to all such embodiments.As such, embodiments of the invention may omit, or include amodification of, one or more features or functionalities described inthe context of such absolute terms.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a computing system environment 100 inwhich an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. The computingsystem environment 100, as illustrated, is an example of a suitablecomputing environment; however it is appreciated that otherenvironments, systems, and devices may be used to implement variousembodiments of the invention as described in more detail below.

Embodiments of the invention are operational with numerousgeneral-purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with embodiments ofthe invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers,server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of the above systemsor devices, and the like.

Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules being executedby a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasksor implement particular abstract data types. Embodiments of theinvention may also be practiced in distributed-computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices. Additionally,the entity that may implement, or otherwise provide the ability toimplement, elements of embodiments of the invention may be referred toherein as an “administrator.”

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing anembodiment of the invention includes a computing device, such ascomputing device 100. The computing device 100 typically includes atleast one processing unit 102 and memory 104.

Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device,memory 104 may be volatile (such as random-access memory (RAM)),nonvolatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.) or somecombination of the two. This most basic configuration is illustrated inFIG. 1 by dashed line 106.

Additionally, the device 100 may have additional features, aspects, andfunctionality. For example, the device 100 may include additionalstorage (removable and/or non-removable) which may take the form of, butis not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Such additionalstorage is illustrated in FIG. 1 by removable storage 108 andnon-removable storage 110. Computer storage media includes volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory104, removable storage 108 and non-removable storage 110 are allexamples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, butis not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other opticalstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used tostore the desired information and which can be accessed by device 100.Any such computer storage media may be part of device 100.

The device 100 may also include a communications connection 112 thatallows the device to communicate with other devices. The communicationsconnection 112 is an example of communication media. Communication mediatypically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, the communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio-frequency (RF),infrared and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media asused herein includes both storage media and communication media.

The device 100 may also have an input device 114 such as keyboard,mouse, pen, voice-input device, touch-input device, etc. Further, anoutput device 116 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also beincluded. Additional input devices 114 and output devices 116 may beincluded depending on a desired functionality of the device 100.

According to one or more embodiments, the combination of software orcomputer-executable instructions with a computer-readable medium resultsin the creation of a machine or apparatus. Similarly, the execution ofsoftware or computer-executable instructions by a processing deviceresults in the creation of a machine or apparatus, which may bedistinguishable from the processing device, itself, according to anembodiment.

Correspondingly, it is to be understood that a computer-readable mediumis transformed by storing software or computer-executable instructionsthereon. Likewise, a processing device is transformed in the course ofexecuting software or computer-executable instructions. Additionally, itis to be understood that a first set of data input to a processingdevice during, or otherwise in association with, the execution ofsoftware or computer-executable instructions by the processing device istransformed into a second set of data as a consequence of suchexecution. This second data set may subsequently be stored, displayed,or otherwise communicated. Such transformation, alluded to in each ofthe above examples, may be a consequence of, or otherwise involve, thephysical alteration of portions of a computer-readable medium. Suchtransformation, alluded to in each of the above examples, may also be aconsequence of, or otherwise involve, the physical alteration of, forexample, the states of registers and/or counters associated with aprocessing device during execution of software or computer-executableinstructions by the processing device.

As used herein, a process that is performed “automatically” may meanthat the process is performed as a result of machine-executedinstructions and does not, other than the establishment of userpreferences, require manual effort.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention may takethe form, and/or may be implemented using one or more elements, of anexemplary computer network system 200. The system 200 includes anelectronic client device 210, such as a personal computer orworkstation, tablet or smart phone, that is linked via a communicationmedium, such as a network 220 (e.g., the Internet), to an electronicdevice or system, such as a server 230. The server 230 may further becoupled, or otherwise have access, to a database 240 and a computersystem 260. Although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 includes oneserver 230 coupled to one client device 210 via the network 220, itshould be recognized that embodiments of the invention may beimplemented using one or more such client devices coupled to one or moresuch servers.

The client device 210 and the server 230 may include all or fewer thanall of the features associated with the device 100 illustrated in anddiscussed with reference to FIG. 1. The client device 210 includes or isotherwise coupled to a computer screen or display 250. The client device210 may be used for various purposes such as network- andlocal-computing processes.

The client device 210 is linked via the network 220 to server 230 sothat computer programs, such as, for example, a browser, running on theclient device 210 can cooperate in two-way communication with server230. The server 230 may be coupled to database 240 to retrieveinformation therefrom and to store information thereto. Database 240 mayhave stored therein data (not shown) that can be used by the server 230to enable performance of various aspects of embodiments of theinvention. The data stored in database 240 may include, for example,real-property descriptions, real-property listings and/or datacharacterizing pending or consummated transactions involving realproperty. Additionally, the server 230 may be coupled to the computersystem 260 in a manner allowing the server to delegate certainprocessing functions to the computer system. In an embodiment, theclient device 210 may bypass network 220 and communicate directly withcomputer system 260.

Still referring to FIG. 2, and in operation according to an embodimentof the invention, a user (not shown) of the client device 210 desiringto evaluate real-estate market conditions in a particular geographicregion uses a browser application running on the client device to accessweb content, which may, but need not, be served by the server 230.Specifically, by employing an appropriate uniform resource locator (URL)in a known manner, the user may navigate to a website hosted by theserver 230.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300, according to an embodiment of theinvention, for providing information characterizing real-estate marketconditions within a geographic sub-region included within a largergeographic region. The geographic region may be any population center,such as a city, having defined political boundaries. Consequently, thesub-region may be a neighborhood, for example, located within a city.

The process 300 is illustrated as a set of operations shown as discreteblocks. One or more steps of the process 300 may be implemented in anysuitable hardware, software, including instructions embodied withincomponents, firmware, or combination thereof. The order in which theoperations associated with the process 300 are described is not to benecessarily construed as a limitation.

At a block 310, an indication of the geographic sub-region is receivedfrom a user. For example, a user of the client device 210 may, using thewebsite, indicate to server 230 a neighborhood in which the user owns ahouse or would like to purchase a house. In an embodiment, the websiteprovides an interactive map of the geographic region, and the user maydefine the sub-region by interacting with, or otherwise manipulating,the interactive map in a known manner.

At a block 320, a memory device is accessed on which is storedinformation characterizing a set of parcels of real property that havebeen listed for sale. For example, in response to receiving theneighborhood indication from the user, the server 230 and/or computersystem 260 may access MLS listings and/or other descriptions ofreal-property parcels that are stored in database 240. Such parceldescriptions may or may not be submitted for storage in the database 240by users who are registered with the website of the administrator.

At a block 330, a parcel of real property located in the sub-region andfor which a purchase offer has been made is identified from the storedinformation. For example, from the information stored in the database240, the server 230 may locate one or more properties located in theindicated neighborhood for which purchase offers have been tendered byone or more prospective buyers.

At a decision block 340, a determination is made as to whether apurchase transaction for the parcel of real property has closed (i.e.,the sales transaction involving the parcel has been completelyconsummated).

If no purchase transaction has closed on the parcel, then, at a block350, a range of a plurality of values characterizing the purchase offeris provided in at least one graphical user interface. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 6, in response to receiving the user's neighborhoodindication, server 230 may serve to the user a webpage 600 that includesa set of information, stored in database 240, pertaining to the parcel(e.g., a listed property in Bernal Heights) and the one or more offersmade for it. However, because the purchase transaction for the parcelhas not yet closed, some or all of the information displayed in webpage600 with which numerical quantities are associated is expressed in termsof a range of values (e.g., “<1 Week”) rather than being expressed interms of a specific numerical value (e.g., “5 days”).

As illustrated in FIG. 6, an embodiment of the webpage 600 may include,for example, information indicating whether the offer has been accepted,how many days the parcel has been on the market since its listing, howmany days the parcel was on the market between the date of its listingand the date on which the first offer was tendered for it, the number ofoffers thus far tendered for the parcel, a comparison of the offer priceto the list price, down-payment amount, manner of proposed paymentand/or financing, and a description of any conditions under which theparcel is offered for sale and/or will be purchased. In an embodiment,all information displayed in webpage 600 pertaining to list price, offerprice and any associated payment terms are solely expressed in terms ofa range of values.

If a purchase transaction has closed on the parcel, then, at a block360, a specific value of the plurality of values characterizing thepurchase offer is provided in at least one graphical user interface. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 7, in response to receiving the user'sneighborhood indication, server 230 may serve to the user a webpage 700that includes a set of information, stored in database 240, pertainingto the parcel and the one or more offers made for it. However, becausethe purchase transaction for the parcel has closed, some or all of theinformation displayed in webpage 700 with which numerical quantities areassociated is expressed in terms of a specific numerical value (e.g., “5days”) rather than being expressed in terms of a range of values (e.g.,“<1 Week”).

As illustrated in FIG. 7, an embodiment of the webpage 700 may include,for example, information indicating whether the offer has been accepted,how many days the parcel has been on the market since its listing, howmany days the parcel was on the market between the date of its listingand the date on which the first offer was tendered for it, the number ofoffers thus far tendered for the parcel, a comparison of the offer priceto the list price, down-payment amount, manner of proposed paymentand/or financing, and a description of any conditions under which theparcel is offered for sale and/or will be purchased. Additionally, thewebpage 700 may include a narrative portion 710 describing at least onedetail of the purchase transaction. The content of the narrative portion710 may be supplied by a party, such as a real estate agent, to theclose of the purchase transaction. In an embodiment, all informationdisplayed in webpage 700 pertaining to list price, offer price and anyassociated payment terms are solely expressed in terms of a specificvalue. Alternatively, webpages 600, 700 may be displayed as sidebarelements in conjunction with other webpages as is known in the art.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process 400, according to an embodiment of theinvention, for enabling a seller entity to estimate market demand for aparcel of real property owned by the seller entity. The process 400 isillustrated as a set of operations shown as discrete blocks. One or moresteps of the process 400 may be implemented in any suitable hardware,software, including instructions embodied within components, firmware,or combination thereof. The order in which the operations associatedwith the process 400 are described is not to be necessarily construed asa limitation.

At a block 410, a selection of a first target profile characterizing atarget parcel of real property is received, via an electronic network,from a first set of buyer entities. The first target profile includes afeature description of the target parcel and a first purchase-pricerange of the target parcel. For example, a first set of users, which mayor may not include a user of the client device 210, seeking to purchasea real-property parcel may, using the website, indicate to server 230 aset of one or more parcel qualities considered ideal by each user in thefirst set. Such qualities may include location, parcel square footage,number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms and/or list price. This set ofqualities submitted to server 230 by the users in the first set may beconsidered a profile of the parcel desired by each such user. Bysubmitting this profile to server 230, the users in the first set chooseto receive from the administrator one or more types of notificationsconcerning parcels that fit the profile and that may come to theattention of the administrator as possibly becoming available forpurchase.

At a block 420, a selection of a second target profile characterizing atarget parcel of real property is received, via an electronic network,from a second set of buyer entities. The second target profile includesa feature description of the target parcel and a second purchase-pricerange of the target parcel. For example, a second set of users, whichmay or may not include a user of the client device 210 or users includedin the first set of users, seeking to purchase a real-property parcelmay, using the website, indicate to server 230 a set of one or moreparcel qualities considered ideal by each user in the second set. Suchqualities may include location, parcel square footage, number ofbedrooms, number of bathrooms and/or list price. This set of qualitiessubmitted to server 230 by the users in the second set may be considereda profile of the parcel desired by each such user. By submitting thisprofile to server 230, the users in the second set choose to receivefrom the administrator one or more types of notifications concerningparcels that fit the profile and that may come to the attention of theadministrator as possibly becoming available for purchase.

At a block 430, access, via the electronic network, is provided to theseller entity to at least one user interface enabling the seller entityto input a feature description of the seller parcel and provide firstand second proposed purchase prices for the seller parcel. Consequently,a first seller profile is created including the feature description ofthe seller parcel and the first proposed purchase price, and a secondseller profile is created including the feature description of theseller parcel and the second proposed purchase price.

For example, a seller entity who is contemplating selling his propertymay submit, using a client device at least similar to client device 210,to server 230 a description of his property including characteristicssuch as location, square footage, number of bedrooms, number ofbathrooms and/or proposed or actual list price. After submission, thisdescription, along with an accompanying photograph of the property, maybe stored as searchable information in database 240.

Referring to FIG. 8, and after the aforementioned description is storedin database 240, the seller entity may, via server 230, invoke a webpage800 that includes a data entry field 810 and, optionally, a rendering820 of the stored description/photograph. The entry field 810 enablesthe seller entity to enter one or more proposed purchase prices for hisproperty as a means of gauging market demand for his property, as willbe discussed in greater detail below. Each time the seller entity entersa different proposed purchase price into the entry field 810, the server230 and/or computer system 260 generates an electronic seller profileassociated with the property including the stored description of theproperty and the input proposed purchase price. Consequently, eachproposed purchase price input to the entry field 810 is a component of acorresponding different seller profile.

At a decision block 440, a determination is made as to whether the firsttarget profile matches the first seller profile. For example, the server230 and/or the computer system 260 may compare a first seller profileassociated with a first proposed purchase price entered by the sellerentity into the entry field 810 with the first target profile associatedwith the first set of users. That is, in an embodiment, the server 230and/or the computer system 260 will determine whether the input proposedpurchase price, property location, property square footage, etc.associated with the seller's property matches or otherwise falls withinthe numerical/geographical range of at least a subset of thecorresponding criteria included in the target profile associated withthe first set of users.

If there is such a match, then, at a block 450, a numerical valueindicating a total quantity of buyer entities in the first set isdisplayed to at least one user interface. For example, and againreferring to FIG. 8, having determined that the proposed purchase priceentered by the seller entity into entry field 810 has generated a sellerprofile that matches the target profile associated with the first set ofusers, server 230 may display within a webpage 800 one or moreindicators 830. Indicators 830 illustrate to the seller entity thenumber of people (i.e., the size of the first set of users) who haveindicated their interest in properties having the features and firstproposed purchase price of the seller's property by, for example,requesting notification from the administrator that such a property hasbeen listed for sale. By way of illustration, the indicators 830 shownin FIG. 8 provide indications of the number of users who have requesteddaily updates, instant updates, mobile instant updates, and haverecorded saved searches for properties having the features shown in therendering 820 and the proposed list price entered into entry field 810.

If there is no such match, then, at a decision block 460, adetermination is made as to whether the second target profile matchesthe second seller profile. For example, the server 230 and/or thecomputer system 260 may compare a second seller profile associated witha second proposed purchase price entered by the seller entity into theentry field 810 with the second target profile associated with thesecond set of users. That is, in an embodiment, the server 230 and/orthe computer system 260 will determine whether the input proposedpurchase price, property location, property square footage, etc.associated with the seller's property matches or otherwise falls withinthe numerical/geographical range of at least a subset of thecorresponding criteria included in the target profile associated withthe second set of users.

If there is such a match, then, at a block 470, a numerical valueindicating a total quantity of buyer entities in the second set isdisplayed to at least one user interface. For example, and againreferring to FIG. 8, having determined that the proposed purchase priceentered by the seller entity into entry field 810 has generated a sellerprofile that matches the target profile associated with the second setof users, server 230 may display within a webpage 800 one or moreindicators 830. In a manner similar to that discussed above withreference to block 450 and the first set of users, indicators 830illustrate to the seller entity the number of people (i.e., the size ofthe second set of users) who have indicated their interest in propertieshaving the features and second proposed purchase price of the seller'sproperty by, for example, requesting notification from the administratorthat such a property has been listed for sale.

If there is no such match, then the process proceeds back to block 430.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, a webpage 900 may begenerated under circumstances identical or similar to those under whichwebpage 800 is generated. Webpage 900 includes an entry field 910,similar in functionality to entry field 810, and one or more indicators930, similar in functionality to indicators 830. However, in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the proposed purchase price in entryfield 910 may or may not be input by the seller entity and may beincremented and decremented by a predetermined amount using one or moreGUI controls 915 known in the art. As the proposed purchase price isincremented/decremented, the quantity of first/second set users shown byindicator 930 is correspondingly modified according to principlesdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 4. Additionally, “ghosted”preview values may be generated proximal to each of the entry field 910and indicator 930 to allow the seller entity to readily see the effectthat modifying the proposed purchase price will have on interest frompotential buyers. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, by changing theproposed purchase price from $250,000 to $225,000, the seller entity mayexpect the number of interested users to increase from 707 to 756. Bychanging the proposed purchase price from $250,000 to $275,000, theseller entity may expect the number of interested users to decrease from707 to 694.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process 500, according to an embodiment of theinvention, for enabling a seller entity to estimate market demand for aseller parcel of real property owned by the seller entity. The process500 is illustrated as a set of operations shown as discrete blocks. Oneor more steps of the process 500 may be implemented in any suitablehardware, software, including instructions embodied within components,firmware, or combination thereof. The order in which the operationsassociated with the process 500 are described is not to be necessarilyconstrued as a limitation.

At a block 510, a selection of a first target profile characterizing atarget parcel of real property is received from a first set of buyerentities via an electronic network. The first target profile includes afeature description of the target parcel. For example, a first set ofusers, which may or may not include a user of the client device 210,seeking to purchase a real-property parcel may, using the website,indicate to server 230 a set of one or more parcel qualities consideredideal by each user in the first set. Such qualities may includelocation, parcel square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathroomsand/or list price. This set of qualities submitted to server 230 by theusers in the first set may be considered a profile of the parcel desiredby each such user. By submitting this profile to server 230, the usersin the first set choose to receive from the administrator one or moretypes of notifications concerning parcels that fit the profile and thatmay come to the attention of the administrator as possibly becomingavailable for purchase.

At a block 520, access to at least one user interface is provided to theseller entity via the electronic network. Such access enables the sellerentity to input a feature description of the seller parcel and provide aproposed purchase price at which the seller entity may agree to sell theseller parcel, thereby creating a first seller profile including thefeature description of the seller parcel.

For example, a seller entity who is contemplating selling his propertymay submit, using a client device at least similar to client device 210,to server 230 a description of his property including characteristicssuch as location, square footage, number of bedrooms, number ofbathrooms. After submission, this description, along with anaccompanying photograph of the property, may be stored as searchableinformation in database 240.

Referring to FIG. 10, and after the aforementioned description is storedin database 240, the seller entity may, via server 230, invoke a webpage1000 that includes a data entry field 1010. The entry field 1010 enablesthe seller entity to enter a proposed purchase price for his property asa means of gauging market demand for his property, as will be discussedin greater detail below.

At a decision block 530, a determination is made as to whether there isa match between the first target profile and the first seller profile.For example, the server 230 and/or the computer system 260 may comparethe first seller profile with the first target profile associated withthe first set of users. That is, in an embodiment, the server 230 and/orthe computer system 260 will determine whether the property location,property square footage, etc. associated with the seller's propertymatches or otherwise falls within the numerical/geographical range of atleast a subset of the corresponding criteria included in the targetprofile associated with the first set of users.

If there is no such match, the process proceeds back to block 520.

If there is such a match, then at a block 540, information describingthe seller parcel and the proposed purchase price is presented to thefirst set of the buyer entities via the electronic network. For example,and as illustrated in FIG. 11, having determined that there is a matchbetween the first target profile and the first seller profile, server230 may notify a buyer entity of the aforementioned first set of usersvia conventional means such as a webpage 1100, for example, that theowner of a property fitting the first target profile may be interestedin putting the property up for sale. In response, buyer entities of thefirst set may respond by providing their respective opinions on whetherthe proposed purchase price is suitable for the property. Theadministrator may thereafter generate a report to the seller entitybased on these opinions received from the buyer entities.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe personalized feed system have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, but that various modifications may be made withoutdeviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method to provideinformation characterizing real-estate market conditions within ageographic sub-region included within a larger geographic region, themethod comprising: receiving an indication of the geographic sub-regionfrom a user; accessing a memory device on which is stored informationcharacterizing a set of parcels of real property that have been listedfor sale; identifying from the stored information a parcel of realproperty located in the sub-region and for which a purchase offer hasbeen made; if a purchase transaction for the parcel of real property hasnot closed, providing, in at least one graphical user interface, a rangeof a plurality of values characterizing the purchase offer; and if apurchase transaction for the parcel of real property has closed,providing, in at least one graphical user interface, a specific value ofthe plurality of values characterizing the purchase offer, wherein thepreceding steps are performed by at least one processor.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the region is a city having defined politicalboundaries.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing in atleast one graphical user interface an interactive map of the geographicregion, wherein the sub-region is definable by user interaction with theinteractive map.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofvalues characterizes a time period that the parcel was listed prior tothe time that the purchase offer was made.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of values characterizes a number of purchaseoffers that have been made for the parcel since the date on which theparcel was listed for sale.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of values characterizes the amount of a down payment offeredin connection with the purchase offer.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of values characterizes a ratio of an amount of thepurchase offer to a list price of the parcel.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising if a purchase transaction for the parcel of realproperty has closed, receiving from a party to the close of the purchasetransaction a narrative describing at least one detail of the purchasetransaction, and providing, in at least one graphical user interface,the narrative.
 9. At least one computer-readable medium on which arestored instructions that, when executed by at least one processingdevice, enable the at least one processing device to perform a method ofenabling a seller entity to estimate market demand for a seller parcelof real property owned by the seller entity, the method comprising thesteps of: receiving from a first set of buyer entities, via anelectronic network, a selection of a first target profile characterizinga target parcel of real property, the first target profile including afeature description of the target parcel and a first purchase-pricerange of the target parcel; receiving from a second set of buyerentities, via the electronic network, a selection of a second targetprofile characterizing the target parcel of real property, the secondtarget profile including the feature description of the target parceland a second purchase-price range of the target parcel; providing to theseller entity access, via the electronic network, to at least one userinterface enabling the seller entity to input a feature description ofthe seller parcel and provide first and second proposed purchase pricesfor the seller parcel, thereby creating a first seller profile includingthe feature description of the seller parcel and the first proposedpurchase price and creating a second seller profile including thefeature description of the seller parcel and the second proposedpurchase price; if there is a match between the first target profile andthe first seller profile, displaying to at least one user interface anumerical value indicating a total quantity of buyer entities in thefirst set; and if there is a match between the second target profile andthe second seller profile, displaying to at least one user interface anumerical value indicating a total quantity of buyer entities in thesecond set.
 10. The medium of claim 9, wherein the feature descriptioncomprises location of parcel of real property.
 11. The medium of claim9, wherein the feature description comprises square footage of parcel ofreal property.
 12. A computer-implementable method of enabling a sellerentity to estimate market demand for a seller parcel of real propertyowned by the seller entity, the method comprising the steps of:receiving from a first set of buyer entities, via an electronic network,a selection of a first target profile characterizing a target parcel ofreal property, the first target profile including a feature descriptionof the target parcel; providing to the seller entity access, via theelectronic network, to at least one user interface enabling the sellerentity to input a feature description of the seller parcel and provide aproposed purchase price at which the seller entity may agree to sell theseller parcel, thereby creating a first seller profile including thefeature description of the seller parcel; if there is a match betweenthe first target profile and the first seller profile, presentinginformation describing the seller parcel and the proposed purchase priceto the first set of the buyer entities via the electronic network,wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving from buyerentities of the first set information representing a collective opinionof the proposed purchase price; and generating a report to the sellerentity based on the information.